And coach Steve McClaren appears to be hiding from the issue...
Indeed, when asked about the Argentine's poor form, McClaren is quoted as telling reporters, according to the Shields Gazette: "When you lose matches, not everyone is going to play well.
"It’s a team and not about individuals - and we lost because we conceded two goals. It could have been more. We fought back in the second half, and could have got something out of it."
McClaren is already ducking the big issues just several games into his Newcastle tenure.
Against Watford, Coloccini was awful, and in the last few weeks he has largely beenthe worst defender in the back-line.
But when McClaren first arrived he immediately told Colo he wouldn't be captain! That was the first day!
All through the summer, and the poor form in pre-season friendlies, McClaren struggled to win over the players.
He came in like a rabid dog - telling the press he was bringing in his own rules - and the players were put on their guard.
Wally has this arrogant attitude that winds people up. It happened at Wolsburg, Nottingham Forest and Derby.
Unlike Jose Mourinho, he is NOT a "player's manager".
He has an ego the size of the Tyne Bridge, and I know certain players do not like his attitude.
Some suggest he is a great coach but not a manager, but at Newcastle he has the title "coach" ... and we often wonder who IS running the show at St James' Park.
So far, the Magpies boss's handling of Coloccini is proving a total disaster.
Watching Newcastle defend against Watford was on par with the relegation form under Joe Kinnear.